DB 18-11 Firefighter Burn Injuries

Question 1

When a member sustains a burn (electrical, thermal, chemical or radiation) while on duty, NO MATTER HOW MINOR, an ALS resource shall medically evaluate that member. It is essential that all burn injuries, regardless of the severity, are medically evaluated in a timely manner.

Additionally, the following procedures shall be followed:

Answer 1

-EMS Captain response

-Transport in accordance with DHS Ref No. 512 (adult with 20% and over 2nd/3rd degree burns shall be transported to burn center.)

-MLU notified

-When a member’s burn injuries do not supersede other immediate treatment needed, the member shall be transported directly to one the following facilities:
•Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital
•Torrance Memorial Hospital Burn Center
•LAC/USC Burn Center

Question 2

Pursuant to the duties and responsibilities of the Incident Commander and the Department Safety Officer, all evidence shall be preserved after any significant burn and/or injury to a member.

The _______ will secure and maintain control of any physical evidence relating to any serious injury or death.

Answer 2

Safety Officer

Question 3

The procedures in this Bulletin will accomplish the following three goals:

Answer 3

1. Our members will receive treatment from a burn specialist and will expedite proper care to our members as well as prevent any potential of misdiagnosis by physicians not familiar with the complexities of burns.
2. End the redundancy of subjecting our members to two emergency room evaluations, when only one (at a burn center) is necessary.
3. Members sustaining burns secondary to or associated with injuries meeting trauma center criteria shall be transported to a trauma center prior to a burn center.